Todd Rundgren returns to Philly to perform at the Troc

By DENNY DYROFF, For the Journal Register News Service

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Todd Rundgren, who is one of the best musicians ever to have come out of the Philadelphia area, is returning to Philly for a show at the Trocadero on May 11. And, for the first time in a while, he is touring in support of a new album.

The album, which has been released on Cherry Red Records’ label Esoteric Antenna, is titled “State.” It is billed as “a fusion of rock, soul, rhythm-and-blues and electronica that is at once danceable, groundbreaking, spiritual, challenging and infectious.”

“This particular record was done at the request of a label, which is rare,” said Rundgren, during a recent phone interview. “A label -- Cherry Red Records -- stepped up and asked me to make an album for them.

“So, I set out to research what kind of record I wanted to make. I’ve read about some younger artists who said I was an influence on them. And, I have my influence on me. This record is sort of a way to resolve my history with a lot of what is happening in current music.

“People have been shying away from making music that is real. There is a generation of musicians who work entirely on their own on their laptops -- and they’re trying to make it less real. In a way, it’s anomalous because the sounds are not existing in the same sonic space.

“I feel like I can easily adapt to that. The software I use is pretty much all-inclusive. I just have to get the sound out of the computer. I had to build my own system from scratch. In my live shows, I’ll use a computer with a touch screen.”

But, his live shows won’t just be a one-man musical technology showcase.

“For the shows on this tour, I’ll have Prairie Prince on drums and Jesse Gress on guitar with me onstage,” said Rundgren. “We’ll do a lot from the new album as well as stuff from the past that will suit this presentation. When I go out on tour again this summer, it will be more of a conventional show.”

Over the last four decades, Rundgren, who grew up in nearby Upper Darby, has performed in a wide variety of incarnations -- ranging from the late-1960s rock bands Woody’s Truck Stop and the Nazz to various editions of his own bands such as Utopia.

He is also a highlyregarded record producer who has worked with artists such as The Band, New York Dolls, Badfinger, Grand Funk Railroad, Hall & Oates, Ian and Sylvia, Meat Loaf, Cheap Trick, Hiroshi Takano and The Psychedelic Furs.

Rundgren is on a plateau with the Residents and Frank Zappa when it comes to musical vision -- always on the forefront of exploring new musical territories, always one of the first to expand the boundaries.

“What often happens is that boundaries move on their own accord and then the boundaries catch up with you,” said Rundgren.

For Rundgren, who relocated from Philadelphia to New York in 1969, returning to his hometown to perform is always a special event.

“I do tend to get very nostalgic when I get back to Philadelphia,” said Rundgren. “I have very fond memories of Philly.”

Todd Rundgren will be performing on May 11 at 8 p.m. at the Trocadero (10th and Arch streets, Philadelphia, 215-922-ROCK, www.thetroc.com). Tickets are $29.50.